Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), has confirmed that it has identified several Kenyan nationals killed while fighting for Russia on the frontline.
The HUR reported on Thursday, April 23, that a group of Kenyans deployed by the Russian military near Borova village in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region died after a Ukrainian mortar strike.
Among those who have since been identified is Eric Mwangi Nyambura, born in 2003.
He was reportedly identified through a hotline project in Ukraine dubbed “I want to leave”.
Ukraine lists Kenyan killed in Ukraine war
According to the said hotline project that encourages Russian troops and foreign recruits to surrender, three other Kenyans, identified as Joseph Kamau Wanjiru, Joel Ngure Karithi, and Ronald Kipkirui Kibet, were said to have travelled together with Nyambura in October 2025.
This was after they signed contracts, underwent brief training, and were sent to war.
Furthermore, HUR reports reveal that over 316 Africans fighting for Russia had been killed as of August 2025, with the report warning that the actual number might be higher.
This comes after both Russia and Kenya agreed to help repatriate Kenyans trapped in the war back to the country, but the process was faced with hurdles since a number of Kenyans were at the frontline in the warzone areas.
So far, several families in Kenya have appealed to the government to help them trace their loved ones who have gone missing in Russia.
